BAPS Hindu temple vandalised in Canada

Swaminarayan Mandir temple in Edmonton vandalised with anti-India graffiti, sparking condemnation and calls for action against Hinduphobia.

A Swaminarayan Mandir temple managed by the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha (BAPS) in the Canadian city of Edmonton has been vandalised with alleged hateful and anti-India graffiti, amidst rising Hinduphobia in the country.

Also read: Hindu temple vandalised in Canada’s Windsor, police launch investigation

The Consulate General of India in Vancouver said in a post on X: “We condemn the defacing of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in #Edmonton with anti-India graffiti. We have requested the Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take prompt action against the perpetrators.”

There has been no reaction as yet from the BAPS – the Bochasanwasi Aksharpurushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, the organisation that runs the temple. Also, there are no reports yet of any official action against the vandalisation that took place on Monday morning.

“Earlier today, the Edmonton BAPS Mandir was vandalised with paint, displaying hateful rhetoric on the walls of what should be a place of refuge. Hate has no part in Canada - much less in places of worship & prayer. This incident is wrong & goes against the values of our city,” said Randy Boissonnault, Member of Parliament /Depute – Edmonton Centre.

A statement from the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce (CHCC), dedicated to promoting the interests of the Hindu business community in Canada, said, “The act of vandalism is not only an attack on a physical structure but also an affront to the sentiments of the Hindu community and the principles of respect and tolerance that our society holds dear.” It condemned the “senseless act of hate” and the “rising tide of Hinduphobia” across Canada and said, “These incidents are deeply troubling and have no place in our multicultural and inclusive society.”

The CHCC urged the Canadian government and local authorities to take immediate and effective measures to combat Hinduphobia and protect religious institutions and communities from such acts of violence and intolerance, the statement said and called for united efforts.